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JOINT CALL FOR MORE GOVERNMENT ACTION ON CRUMBLING ISLAND ROADS

Two local politicians have come together to call for more action from the SNP Government over the problem of potholes and crumbling roads in local island communities.

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron and local Scottish Conservative Councillor Alastair Redman have issued the plea for additional funding following figures released under Freedom of Information by Argyll and Bute Council which show that a significant number of road faults have been raised with the council over several months.

Figures from May show that 106 road faults were raised from Islay, while figures for June show 101 road faults raised.

Argyll and Bute Council had announced an additional £15m worth of investment in roads in the most recent council budget.

However, local residents have raised concerns that this funding may not be enough to combat the growing problem on the islands road networks, which is largely caused in part by heavy haulage associated with the thriving whisky industry on Islay and Jura.

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron said:

“These figures make it absolutely clear that councils are struggling to fix local roads, which is in large part due to successive budget cuts by the SNP Government.

I saw for myself the condition of the roads on Islay earlier in the year. It's simply unacceptable for them to remain in such a dire state.

That is why the Scottish Conservatives have called on the Government to create a £100m pothole action fund, to help local councils get on top of their roads.”

Local Cllr. Alastair Redman said:

“Since my election last May I have been calling for extra funding to resolve this scourge on the island communities that I represent.

Islay and Jura have a growing whisky industry which is welcome, but this is having a major impact on local roads, with little recognition from the SNP Government.

The SNP need to invest more in improving local roads, otherwise more faults will be raised and this will impact local road users and local businesses.”